This evening at the gallery «Ark» (St. Nemchinova, 12) opens the exposition «Konstantin Istomin (1887-1942). Paintings, graphics, 1910-1930's »- the first exhibition project« Return Konstantin Istomin ».

Konstantin N. Istomin - a figure largely mysterious.

artist and teacher, member of «Makovets», «4 art» and AHR, the author of a textbook picture of the famous «Vuzovki» (1933), is currently represented in the permanent exhibition of the Tretyakov Gallery «Art of XX century», Istomin had a marked influence on several generations of Russian masters of fine art. He played a very important role in the development of professional training in fine arts post-revolutionary Russia. A generation of artists who studied in Moscow in 1920-1930's and into VHUTEMASe-VHUTEINe, then - at the Moscow Polygraphic Institute and the Moscow Art Institute (later given the name VI Surikov) has almost a legend on the «uncle Coast», the name Istomin students. Artworks Istomina stored in many local museums, ranging from collections of The State Tretyakov Gallery, Russian Museum and the Pushkin Museum Pushkin.

At the same time Istomina absent for decades in private collections and antique market space.

Artworks Konstantin Istomin survived by his devoted disciple and followers of L. Kazenin (1897-1965). An experienced renovator, he has restored in the postwar decades, those istominskie paintings, which were subsequently dispersed to museums. At the present time «Ark» works with an extensive archive of Kazenin containing paintings and graphics Istomin, whom he did not have time to order. On submission of this collection is scheduled to take steps that will restore and publicly present, unknown to public works Istomina - only a few dozen things kazeninskogo from the archive were published in the album «K. Istomin. Selected works », published by« Soviet artist »in 1985.

Long-term project «Return Konstantin Istomin» start a gallery «Ark» in the current year. It includes a catalog and an introduction to the cultural practice of the artist's works, edition of the album directory «Konstantin Istomin», as well as several exhibitions of creative heritage Istomin, the first of which opened in «Ark» today at 18.00. Anticipating the this exhibit, in the 25 Russian Antiquarian Salon (October 2008, Central House of Artists) gallery «Ark» showed graphic and pictorial works Istomina different years. According to experts of the Research Institute of Restoration, these things «have museum value».

He was born in 1887 in Kursk, an infantry officer in the family (his father was a nephew of Admiral V. Istomin, the hero of defense of Sevastopol in 1854-1855 years). Then the family moved to Kharkiv, where Constantine began to engage in a private studio of artist E. Шрейдера - uchivshegosya in Paris, fans and followers Barbizon, has had a significant influence on the tastes and predilections of young artists. In 1905, Istomin was in prison for participating in the statements of workers. Leaving from prison, he went to Munich, where he studied with Vladimir Favorskiy school Shimon Holloshi, but three years later both continued their education at Moscow University in the newly created department of art history.

From 1913 to 1918 Istomin fought on the fronts of the First World War, commanded an artillery battery, moved the concussion and operatsiyu.Pri this in 1916-meters at the XXII exhibition «Moscow Association of Artists» first exhibited paintings by Konstantin Istomin «Lemons ». After the demobilization of the artist continued to work hard, constantly participated in various exhibitions. Since the early 1920's and until 1930 worked in VHUTEMASe Istomin - VHUTEINe, in particular, led its preparatory department, was a professor of painting, the deputy director for science and VHUTEMASa Education, Vice-painted office. In the same period, he participated in exhibitions of artists of the «Makovets» and the Society of Artists «Art 4», where he was secretary.

In 1932, came into the light novel Dmitry Furmanov «Chapaev» Illustrated Istomin. In the same year, the artist took part in the jubilee exhibition «Artists of the RSFSR during 15 years», which took place first in Leningrad, at the State Russian Museum, then - in Moscow, where Istomin showed «Vuzovok». Despite the acquisition of this painting Tretyakov Gallery, in the period from 1930 to 1933 works Istomina subjected to the usual for that time criticized. «My artistic history was recognized formalistic, with all its consequences», - reported in his autobiography the artist.

In 1941, Istomin participated in «the exhibition the best works of Soviet artists». In October of that year, together with the part of students and teachers of the Moscow Art Institute moved to the evacuation of Samarkand.

In July 1942, Konstantin Istomin died in Samarkand.

Opening of the exhibition «Konstantin Istomin (1887-1942). Paintings, graphics, 1910-1930's »will be held today at 18 o'clock in the gallery« Ark »(St. Nemchinova, 12). To visit the exhibition will be open from November 13 to December 28, 2008.

Source: Press Releases galleries «Ark»